Communications engineering: a new discipline for the 21st century

Communications engineering, a new undergraduate degree program, is being introduced in the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. At a time when increased specialization is questionable, the case is made that communications engineering, i.e., telecommunications and computers, is such a broad and fundamental area that a distinct degree is an appropriate approach to meet the requirements for engineering in this area. The objectives of the new program and the role that its graduates will play are discussed. The curriculum proposed for the new degree is presented. In the new degree, which is derived from the telecommunications stream in electrical engineering and from computer systems engineering, students will receive a comprehensive education ranging from a one and one-half gear common core, to communications theory, design and practice, with consideration of economic, regulatory, and social issues with a strong background in real-time computer systems. Graduates will participate in the engineering of a variety of private and public telecommunications systems, and be at home in many related areas of information technology and signal processing